Leon Washington broke a kickoff return to set up a touchdown and had a long punt return last week.

Photo By Brad Loper/Associated Press

In this photo taken Sept. 5, 2012, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) wipes the neck of tackle Ryan Cook (63) during a timeout during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Cook was playing against the Cowboys in the preseason finale only a couple of weeks ago. Now he is a center of attention for the Cowboys, preparing to start in the middle of a restructured offensive front in the second game of the season this Sunday at Seattle. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News, Brad Loper) MANDATORY CREDIT; NO SALES; MAGS OUT; TV OUT; INTERNET USE BY AP MEMBERS ONLY

Here's what Express-News staff writer Tom Orsborn says you should keep an eye on during today's game:

1. Wilson's footwork: Long before the Cowboys face Carolina's Cam Newton, Philadelphia's Michael Vick and Washington's Robert Griffin III, they must deal today with another mobile quarterback in Seattle rookie Russell Wilson.

The third-round pick from Wisconsin ran eight times for 20 yards in last week's 20-16 loss at Arizona after gaining 150 yards on 10 carries, including a 32-yard touchdown, in the preseason.

“He flat out just makes plays with his feet,” Dallas coach Jason Garrett said. “His eyes are always up (looking downfield when he scrambles).”

Linebacker Anthony Spencer said communication within the front seven will be the key to containing Wilson.

“Knowing what defense he can escape in and understanding the rush lanes, that's going to help us out,” Spencer said. “When people aren't open, he's going to run around.”

Garrett said, above all else, the Cowboys must guard against underestimating Wilson. Showing impressive composure against the Cardinals, he was 18 of 34 for 153 yards with one TD and one interception.

“He is a rookie, but he doesn't play like a rookie,” Garrett said. “He plays very maturely. It looks like he knows what he's doing.”

2. Jenkins' debut: Fifth-year cornerback Mike Jenkins is set to return after missing the offseason, preseason and opener while rehabbing from February surgery on his right shoulder. If he can shake off the rust, he'll bolster a revamped secondary that had a strong debut in the 24-17 win over the New York Giants in Week 1.

A healthy Jenkins showing the form that landed him a Pro Bowl berth in 2009 can't help but make Rob Ryan's defense even stronger. While the club hasn't indicated where it will play Jenkins, speculation has centered on him lining up in the slot because Claiborne has been practicing on the outside.

“I think we'll be tough to deal with,” Claiborne said.

3. Bullish backs: With the Cowboys' hard-nosed DeMarco Murray and Seattle's bulldozing Marshawn Lynch carrying the ball, gang tackling will be the order of the day for both defenses.

Murray rushed for 139 yards on 22 carries in a 23-13 win over Seattle last season. Last week against the Giants, he gained 131 yards on 20 attempts as the Cowboys improved their record to 4-0 when the former Oklahoma star hits the century mark.

Look for Seahawks safeties Earl Thomas, a Texas-ex, and Kam Chancellor to cheat down into the box in running situations to help contain Murray.

“They like to make a lot of plays around the line of scrimmage,” Garrett said. “They tackle well, and they are physical.”

Lynch carried 23 times for 135 yards, including a late 4-yard touchdown run, against Dallas last season. Despite a sore back, he plowed his way to 85 yards on 21 carries in the opener.

The Cowboys' rush defense was excellent against the Giants, holding Ahmad Bradshaw to 78 yards. Garrett is counting on another inspired effort against Lynch, who rushed for 1,204 yards and 12 TDs — both career highs — last season.

“He's a big, physical, productive runner,” Garrett said. “He can run inside. He can run outside. He can run around you. He can run over you. He's a big part of what they do. Playing with a young quarterback, he's somebody I know they will rely on for obvious reasons.”

Said Spencer, who was strong against the run with seven stops against the Giants: “He's not a guy that will let one arm tackle or one person bring him down. We've got to get everybody to the ball.”

4. Special-teams showdown: Leon Washington had a down year in 2011 after scoring on three kickoff returns in 2010, his first year with the Seahawks. But the seventh-year pro got off to a strong start last week, returning a kickoff 83 yards in the third quarter to set up the team's only touchdown and returning a punt 52 yards in the fourth to set up a field goal that gave Seattle a 16-13 lead.

“He's a difference-making player for them,” Garrett said. “He can make big plays for them. He's done that throughout his career.”

The Cowboys will counter with punter Chris Jones, who had a net average of 51.5 yards against the Giants, and kicker Dan Bailey, who had 24 touchbacks on 67 kickoffs last year but none in the opener. The coverage teams also will be aided by the return of special-teams ace Danny McCray, who sat out the opener with a neck injury, and possibly the addition of newly signed special-teamer LeQuan Lewis.

“You certainly want to limit his opportunities any way you can,” Garrett said of Washington. “The kickers and the punters play a big role in this game, no question. But we have to go cover it. There's no expectation we can just take him out of the game by just kicking the ball through the end zone. We've got to get ready to cover well.”

5. More disciplined line: When center Phil Costa left the opener with a back injury early in the first quarter, the Cowboys were left with an offensive line in which every member was new to his position.

The result was an undisciplined performance that included five false-start penalties and two delay-of-game infractions. Left tackle Tyron Smith, who had three false starts, said a lack of familiarity with Costa's replacement, Ryan Cook, contributed to the infractions.

Fortunately for the Cowboys, the line had all last week to work together. With Costa still sidelined, Cook will start again at center.

“Everybody's on more of the same page this week,” said Smith, who had four false starts as a rookie last season while playing right tackle.

Prediction

Since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, 18 Cowboys teams have started the season 2-0. Sixteen of those squads reached the playoffs. With that in mind, look for Dallas to avoid a letdown while its defense confuses Wilson into committing multiple turnovers.